The Run DownThis Rangers system is stacked. I could’ve gone 20 deep here, and I’d still be listing guys with bigger upside than most systems feature at the back-end of their top tens. One guy I had a hard time not listing here is 2012 first-rounder Lewis Brinson. Consider him #11 for now, but Brinson has the type of explosive athleticism that could carry him to the top of this list in a year’s time (that’s assuming guys like Profar and Olt graduate, of course). There are other youthful, high-upside types, too, in Jorge Alfaro and Joey Gallo. And as we know, there’s a slew of high-impact potential at the upper reaches of the organization. I’ve been outspoken about the St. Louis system being the best system in baseball for fantasy purposes and otherwise, but this Texas Rangers system is not far behind.

Top Ten Prospects
1. Jurickson Profar, SS: He’s ready for a full-time gig, but the Rangers depth chart can’t accommodate for that just yet. He’ll wait at Triple-A Round Rock for an opportunity in the bigs. Profar brings legit 20-20 potential, along with .300+ AVG, and an OBP north of .350. From shortstop, that sort of production would be enormous. Here’s Grey’s Jurickson Profar fantasy. Also check out my Top 25 Prospects for 2013, where Profar came in at #15. ETA: 2013

2. Mike Olt, 3B/1B: Olt will begin the year at Triple-A, but he’s only a Lance Berkman trip to the DL away from joining the big club. With the potential to hit 30+ homers and collect a ton of RBI from the middle of a stacked lineup, he’s a guy you’ll want. For more on Olt, Grey has his fantasy for ya, and I slotted the 24-year-old slugger at #14 in the aforementioned Top 25. ETA: 2013

3. Leonys Martin, OF: Martin came in at #13 on that Top 25 for 2013 list I keep referencing. He’s primed to get the bulk of the time in center for the Rangers, but Craig Gentry will likely start ahead of him versus LHP. Martin brings a plus hit tool and growing power to the fantasy game, and it might not be long before Texas does away with the platoon and gives the 25-year-old Cuban the full-time job. For more on him, check out Grey’s outfield ranks, where Martin came in at #63. ETA: 2013

4. Martin Perez, LHP: He ranked #18 in my Top 25 Prospects for 2013, but that ranking was prior to news of the broken forearm he suffered this spring. Perez will be shelved for the first month of the season, before returning to action at the Triple-A level. He might not be long for the minors if his stuff returns to form — a deep arsenal including an outstanding changeup will allow him to be an above-average arm at the big league level. ETA: 2013

5. Jorge Alfaro, C: Alfaro’s tools profile suggests a guy who could post .275 AVG and 25 or so homers, all while doing an outstanding job defensively behind the dish. The 19-year-old is already through is first year of full-season ball, and in that regard, he’s right on track developmentally. As far as translating his raw tools into production on the field, though, Alfaro has a long way to go (.261/.320/.430 in 2012 at Low-A). He’ll step up to High-A in 2013 where the Rangers hope to see an improved line. ETA: 2016

6. Justin Grimm, RHP: Grimm was battling for the 5th spot in the Rangers rotation, but was recently reassigned to Triple-A, as Texas seems more comfortable with fellow prospect Nick Tepesch in that role. Grimm’s secondary stuff could use a bit more refinement, but he brings more impressive potential than Tepesch (he falls in the 15-20 range in this system for me). My guess is that it won’t be long ’til we see Grimm starting games in Arlington, but there’ll be further competition for a role once Martin Perez is back and healthy. ETA: 2013

7. Luis Sardinas, SS: Injuries have held him back developmentally, but Sardinas has the most impressive defensive tools at shortstop in the organization. That doesn’t help us much in the fantasy game, but .300 AVG and 25+ steals from a premium position would certainly be valuable, and he brings that sort of upside. Of course, he’s buried on the organizational depth chart in the middle infield, and there’s plenty of uncertainty given his oft-injured reputation. Sardinas will step up to High-A in 2013. ETA: 2015

8. Rougned Odor, 2B: An advanced hit tool and plus defensive tools up the middle should make Odor a nice fantasy piece one day. Expect solid AVG and 15+ stolen bases at the big league level, but that projection could improve if he takes another step forward in 2013. Odor can reach the upper levels at age 19 if he starts off well at High-A. ETA: 2015

9. Cody Buckel, RHP: Buckel tossed 144 innings between High- and Double-A in 2012, posting a 2.49 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP and a 9.9 K/9. Great command of a deep arsenal makes him another candidate to earn starts for the Rangers at some point this season, although his overall potential isn’t quite as impressive as Perez’s or Grimm’s. I’ve also heard the Buckel is best friends with Trevor Bauer, so clearly he has questionable judgement. That’s gotta drag down the overall projection. ETA: 2013

10. Joey Gallo, 3B: Gallo was drafted out of high school at 39th overall last June. The 19-year-old features enormous power potential and he provided a glimpse of it in his pro debut, posting a monstrous .388 ISO in 260 PA between instructional level and short-season A ball. There’s a long way to go here, but Gallo has the necessary raw power to develop into one of the more prolific home run hitting prospects in the minors. ETA: 2016

Wow is it this time of week already, seems this post become sooner and sooner.

DId the trade anyway man, send C Santana and Moose packing for Wright.

Immediately tried to flip Wright for Zimm lol, but the other owner noticed. Gonna try one more switch involving ZImm as I think he’s in for a big year, and hopefully get something else back too.

If nothing else works though, im ok with keeping Wright for this season. Should give me a good chance of winning, and ive got a few plans in mind for how to dump Wrights contract at the end of the year ;)

There’s always less risk in taking upper-levels prospects, especially when it comes to pitchers, so I like the Barnes & Teheran picks a lot. Gausman is good value at 14th overall (I’m counting the guys off the board). Arenado is a decent get in the 4th… I’m not sold on his power potential, but Coors will help that cause. Both Arenado & Marisnick coming off of down years, so you’re getting them on discount, which is nice… both guys were top-30ish this time last year.

@Scott Evans:
Gausman was actually 15th overall, I forgot to name Bundy in the already-taken group. Anyway, thanks for sum up. I was more upset about Russell being taken in 3rd than Walker and Yelich in first because i could have had gausman, teheran, russell, barnes in that order.

I’m in a 20 team h2h dynasty league. This is like my 5th yr in this league. Anyway I think I am one or two trades away from putting this team over the top. Do u see any type of moves I should make or do I stay put? I was actually offered Bautista for profar and wheeler. Do I trade my stud prospects or stay put?

I would hold Wheeler & Profar, they’ll be extremely valuable to you soon enough. Plus, your OF seems strong. Love Kershaw-Lee-Darvish headlining your staff. That’s crazy good for a 20-teamer… you’ll contend for a title with this team. Sit tight.

Would help if I posted in the right minor league blog….anyway here it is.

Did the trade for Wright. Pretty happy as I needed an improvement in the infield to really compete this year, and ill worry about 2014 down the line. Wright should have another big year, much better than Mous, especially in an OBP league (im worried about the Royals young hitters, their no walk, no disipline approach they get taught is awful).

Bad news on Motte though, and to think I could’ve traded Motte instead of Paps in my earlier Hamilton deal, Gah! As a Cards fan, think theres any chance T-Rose gets in line for some saves? Boggs’ already gone and I could sure use some saves, and you know I have Rosie down on my farm.

Btw I’ve finally done it and changed allegiances to my real life baseball team. Been getting fed up of the Yankees for a few years now, even when they were reaching the playoffs, and with their current embarassments, no better time to switch to the Reds, who I’ve always liked watching as a team. What I can’t do that? I sure can man Im English! Looking forward to the rivary between us and your Cards this season!

@Scott Evans: Yeah, though think the Buccos will take a couple years, and the Cubs….well maybe by 2020 :)

Good news that Shelbyville is finally ready to go for this year, with him being given the 5th rotation spot, couldn’t see how Joe Kelly could be a better option than him. You worried about Mottes injury?

You can see the Cards theme here, im hoping that with them being your team, you have more info on them than others ha.

Yeah, I’m a little concerned about Motte… they say it’s a mild elbow strain, but anyone who’s seen the dude throw realizes he’s a mechanics nightmare. He shortarms it at 100 mph… it’s ridiculous. Now I’m not saying he’s for sure out for the long haul or anything like that — I have no inside source whispering to me. But let’s just say I’m very glad the Cards have a deep bullpen that features few guys beyond Motte who have closer-type stuff.

@Scott Evans: Yeah it is one crazy throwing action. Im not a Boggs believer though so like you I hope and could see Rosie getting the gig soon if Boggs is out (and then I just promote him), he has definate closer-like stuff.

Hear rumblings Arenado could make the team, thoughts on him for this year? Got a standard H2H draft coming up on sunday, could he be worth a last round flyer?

Hey Scott, I ran this by Grey but I wanted to ask your opinion since you’re the prospect guru… Would you want to own the rights to any of Wong, Nick Franklin, Springer, Starling, Archer, Barnes, Gausman, Archie Bradley, or Carlos Martinez over Rendon or Straily?

If so thoughts on Arenado for this year, is he worth a very late round flyer in drafts (H2H)?

And missed out on Skaggs for my minors team due to waiver priority, but the other guy dropped Alen Hanson to make room for him. Thoughts on Hanson, Ive already got Profar at SS but is it worth dropping M Barnes for him?

Yeah, I’m still here. My regular season schedule starts tomorrow, so you’ll be seeing my posts on saturday, sunday & weds going forward. Anyway, I’m always for taking a chance on prospects & Arenado should be up sometime in June. Not sure he’s a stashable guy, but definitely keep an eye on that situation & be ready to pounce when he gets the call.

Jackie Bradley is a puzzling case. He’s always projected more as a defensive phenom than a fantasy impact guy. But having secured his spot, he might be worth a look in a deep format just for the breakout potential. I’m not changing my projection for him or anything, but gotta keep your options open…

@Scott Evans: Yeah so it still seems Tehran, Gyorko and Miller are the prospects to aim for late in my umcoming draft, along with maybe a stash on Oscar/Profar? Wanna make the most of that, im only in 2 leagues this year and we know how the first draft went!

And I take it youd still have Barnes over Hansen for a farm team then?

And one last thing before I give it and you a break for a while, could you give me your upside comps for the prospects I recently drafted and just missed out on (always find this fun):